For business travellers who spend much of their year in airports, boardrooms, and identikit hotels, &Beyond Vira Vira in Chile’s Lake District feels like a deep exhale.
Set just outside Pucón, on the banks of the Liucura River, the lodge sits within a lush 22‑hectare estate framed by snow‑dusted peaks and the smoking cone of Villarrica Volcano. It’s a place where nature does the heavy lifting and where even a short stay can recalibrate a travel‑worn mind.
The property’s origins lie in the concept of a modern hacienda: part working farm, part boutique lodge, part cultural immersion. That ethos still shapes the experience today. The main buildings are crafted from local wood and stone, softened with Mapuche textiles, woven rugs, and hand‑carved details. The atmosphere is warm and tactile, with a design language that feels rooted rather than rustic.
Accommodation is spread across 23 rooms, including riverside villas, split‑level suites, and a five‑bedroom Hacienda ideal for executive groups. Bedrooms are spacious and serene, with floor‑to‑ceiling windows, private terraces, and fireplaces that make even a working evening feel indulgent. Bathrooms are spa‑like, with deep soaking tubs, oversized showers, and eco‑friendly toiletries that nod to the lodge’s sustainability ethos. Expect thoughtful touches: yoga mats, plush robes, curated minibars, and river views that make early‑morning emails surprisingly bearable.
Dining is a highlight. The farm‑to‑table restaurant draws heavily from the estate’s own organic garden and on‑site dairy, producing seasonal menus that feel both refined and deeply connected to place. Breakfasts are generous; dinners lean into Chilean flavours with a contemporary twist. The bar and lounge, all timber, soft lighting, and crackling fire is a natural gathering point for a quiet pisco sour or an informal meeting.
For business travellers with limited downtime, the activities are a gift rather than a commitment. The lodge offers more than 30 guided experiences, from gentle river floats and forest walks to cheese‑making workshops and cultural visits with Mapuche communities. Nearby, the Ojos del Caburgua waterfalls and Huerquehue National Park offer easy half‑day escapes, while more adventurous options — horseback riding, kayaking, even heli‑skiing — are available for those with energy to spare.
In essence, &Beyond Vira Vira is a rare blend of wilderness, comfort, and cultural depth. It’s the kind of place where you can decompress without disconnecting and return to work feeling sharper, calmer, and genuinely restored.